AP govt and politics Flashcards
the process of influencing the actions and policies of government
politics
the rules and institutions that make up that system of policymaking
government
the right to life, liberty, and property, which government cannot take away
natural rights
people allow their governments to rule over them to ensure an orderly and functioning society
social contract
the set of beliefs, customs, traditions, and values that Americans share
American political culture
the idea that the governments right to rule comes from the people
popular sovereignty
a system in which the government’s authority comes from the people
republicanism
rights the government cannot take away
inalienable
social, political, and economic freedoms
liberty
a theory that widespread political participation is essential for democratic government
participatory democracy
independent associations outside the government’s control
civil society groups
a theory of democracy that emphasizes the role of groups in the policymaking process
pluralist theory
a theory of democracy that elites have a disproportionate amount of influence in the policymaking process
elitist theory
the structure of government including the executive, legislature, and judiciary
political institutions
a democratic system with elected representatives in which the constitution is the supreme law
constitutional republic
